Christine Fernandes

Contact: Christine.Fernandes@landlords.org.uk

Christine is originally from the North East Of England and re-located to the Midlands to pursue her career in the Rail Industry. Prior to going on maternity leave in 2007 Christine was employed by Bombardier Transportation but seconded to Metronet. At Metronet she held the Role of Programme Manager and was responsible for co-ordination,design and implementation of infrastructure works to the track on the Victoria Line. These upgrades were required to improve the track but predominantly necessary to support the introduction of the new fleet of tube trains on the Victoria Line.

In parallel with her Railway career Christine developed her property portfolio and joined the NLA. It was only after having a series of very bad Letting Agents and problem tenants that she realised what a valuable and resourceful commodity the NLA is and continues to be.

"In 2007 my current letting agent dis-appeared with over three months worth of rent. Luckily, I was on maternity leave so had the opportunity to sort out the mess my portfolio was left in. Although I have property in the Midlands the bulk of my portfolio were in the North East and pre-dominantly tenanted with Housing Benefit tenants. I used the NLA as a constant source of guidance. From evicting problem tenants, to writing tenancy agreements to issuing formal notices the NLA saw me through it all; their comprehensive library of information and advice line covered every base conceivable ! Three Years on my personal property portfolio is now flourishing and I expanded on that base and now manage my own Property Management/lettings Company which covers all of the North East.

I would encourage any Landlord to, consider membership - even if they employ a letting agent - it is important to know that your properties are being managed as they should be !

As a Local Representative, with support from the NLA, I intend to be able to anticipate change and the impact of it . I intend to ensure that local members are kept informed and appraised of effects of legislative and economic changes --- this is very important if we are to have a voice and be able to be proactively address change."